IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the editor for Friday, July 4

Published: Friday, July 4, 2014 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 9:47 p.m.

I read Rick Allen's Friday article on the Ocala Comic Con and was convinced by this article to attend the convention.

I am a longtime comic book enthusiast and have attended many comic book conventions, mainly in Florida.

Initially, I was happy to see that Ocala now had a convention of its own. After attending the convention, though, I was amazed at just how disappointed I could be.

The name of this show is Ocala Comic Con so the one thing you would logically expect it to emphasize was comic books. There were exactly five dealers at this show whose merchandise was predominantly comic books and a handful of other vendors who may have had a couple of boxes of books among their inventories.

The layout of the show was poorly done, and the tent outside became a greenhouse in the Florida sun.

The article specifically states that "of course with the word ‘comic' in its name, it's a pretty sure bet that comic books will get a lot of attention at this con." It also quotes one of the show's promoters as saying "the name ‘Comic Con' just felt fitting."

After paying $15, which is more than some larger shows in other areas of the state charge, to get into this show and finding only five comic dealers, I can say from first-hand observation that this dealer should seriously reconsider that statement.

I realize there are many other facets to comics besides the books themselves. But when approximately 5 percent or less of your dealers are specializing in comic books, there is a problem.

Unless serious and obvious changes are made, I can assure you I will not attend this show again.

Rick Morton

Ocala

We need better

President Barack Obama speaks with vilipend and acrimony about the Republicans and Congress like they are an enemy, all the while coming off as pacific.

How can our country remain a superpower if the executive, legislative and judicial partners lose respect for one another?

This administration to the consternation of the voters has caused and allowed a great divide. If one disagrees with Obama, automatically you are labeled a racist.

Personally, and thus far, I think his policies have been severely detrimental to our country. We need men and women with governing and leadership experience, not someone because he is the first African-American or Hillary Clinton, who could be the first woman president.

In these dire times America needs a leader who will do what is best for our nation, not on political affiliation.

As we celebrate our country's birthday, can't all political persuasions come together to be thankful for the wonderful land we call home?

Our forefathers gave us the rights and protections we so greatly treasure today. Let us never lose our hard-fought freedoms that make us the United States of America.

Alan McCartney

Ocala

Willful amnesia?

I'm concerned about the memories of Republicans. I realize that most of them use Fox News and commentators like Rush Limbaugh as their source of information, but surely they must read local papers and watch local news programs.

If so, have they forgotten Sen. Mitch McConnell, the day after the inauguration, publicly telling all Republicans in Congress to vote no for any program presented by President Barack Obama to ensure he would serve only one term?

Then we have no votes for extending unemployment; no to more money for veterans benefits (thankfully that just changed); no to providing funds for fixing roads, bridges, providing thousands of jobs.

As for the president's jobs bill, increasing minimum wage and working on immigration reform, the House wouldn't even let it come to a vote.

The president is accused of destroying America by encouraging people to go on welfare, food stamps and other needed assistance.

Have these accusers ever had family or friends who lost jobs during the recession and are still unemployed? Do they know anyone who has medical problems but couldn't afford insurance? Do they have people who work for them (housecleaning, yardwork, etc.) who have lived here for years, worked hard, but came 25 years ago illegally as children?

It is so insulting and cruel for these people to lump everyone struggling to survive as freeloaders and lazy.

So many letters throw the word Christian and Bible quotes around, screaming about abortion and same-sex marriage, that I wonder what God thinks of them.

They seem to believe that God wants them to tell people what to do according to their beliefs. It seems they have the idea that they are so good that everyone has to follow their beliefs when this country was founded on religious freedom for all by people who fled religious persecution.

Patrick Riley

Summerfield

Check them out

Looking at mugshots section at ocala.com, I can see President Barack Obama's "policies" on immigration are having an adverse effect for the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

I do hope the sheriff's department is doing citizenship checks.

If they are not legal, they should be handed over to Homeland Security and let them foot the bill, not Marion County.

<p><b>Lousy Comic Con</b></p><p>I read Rick Allen's Friday article on the Ocala Comic Con and was convinced by this article to attend the convention.</p><p>I am a longtime comic book enthusiast and have attended many comic book conventions, mainly in Florida.</p><p>Initially, I was happy to see that Ocala now had a convention of its own. After attending the convention, though, I was amazed at just how disappointed I could be.</p><p>The name of this show is Ocala Comic Con so the one thing you would logically expect it to emphasize was comic books. There were exactly five dealers at this show whose merchandise was predominantly comic books and a handful of other vendors who may have had a couple of boxes of books among their inventories.</p><p>The layout of the show was poorly done, and the tent outside became a greenhouse in the Florida sun.</p><p>The article specifically states that "of course with the word 'comic' in its name, it's a pretty sure bet that comic books will get a lot of attention at this con." It also quotes one of the show's promoters as saying "the name 'Comic Con' just felt fitting."</p><p>After paying $15, which is more than some larger shows in other areas of the state charge, to get into this show and finding only five comic dealers, I can say from first-hand observation that this dealer should seriously reconsider that statement.</p><p>I realize there are many other facets to comics besides the books themselves. But when approximately 5 percent or less of your dealers are specializing in comic books, there is a problem.</p><p>Unless serious and obvious changes are made, I can assure you I will not attend this show again.</p><p><i>Rick Morton</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>We need better</b></p><p>President Barack Obama speaks with vilipend and acrimony about the Republicans and Congress like they are an enemy, all the while coming off as pacific.</p><p>How can our country remain a superpower if the executive, legislative and judicial partners lose respect for one another?</p><p>This administration to the consternation of the voters has caused and allowed a great divide. If one disagrees with Obama, automatically you are labeled a racist.</p><p>Personally, and thus far, I think his policies have been severely detrimental to our country. We need men and women with governing and leadership experience, not someone because he is the first African-American or Hillary Clinton, who could be the first woman president.</p><p>In these dire times America needs a leader who will do what is best for our nation, not on political affiliation.</p><p>As we celebrate our country's birthday, can't all political persuasions come together to be thankful for the wonderful land we call home?</p><p>Our forefathers gave us the rights and protections we so greatly treasure today. Let us never lose our hard-fought freedoms that make us the United States of America.</p><p><i>Alan McCartney</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Willful amnesia?</b></p><p>I'm concerned about the memories of Republicans. I realize that most of them use Fox News and commentators like Rush Limbaugh as their source of information, but surely they must read local papers and watch local news programs.</p><p>If so, have they forgotten Sen. Mitch McConnell, the day after the inauguration, publicly telling all Republicans in Congress to vote no for any program presented by President Barack Obama to ensure he would serve only one term?</p><p>Then we have no votes for extending unemployment; no to more money for veterans benefits (thankfully that just changed); no to providing funds for fixing roads, bridges, providing thousands of jobs.</p><p>As for the president's jobs bill, increasing minimum wage and working on immigration reform, the House wouldn't even let it come to a vote.</p><p>The president is accused of destroying America by encouraging people to go on welfare, food stamps and other needed assistance.</p><p>Have these accusers ever had family or friends who lost jobs during the recession and are still unemployed? Do they know anyone who has medical problems but couldn't afford insurance? Do they have people who work for them (housecleaning, yardwork, etc.) who have lived here for years, worked hard, but came 25 years ago illegally as children?</p><p>It is so insulting and cruel for these people to lump everyone struggling to survive as freeloaders and lazy.</p><p>So many letters throw the word Christian and Bible quotes around, screaming about abortion and same-sex marriage, that I wonder what God thinks of them.</p><p>They seem to believe that God wants them to tell people what to do according to their beliefs. It seems they have the idea that they are so good that everyone has to follow their beliefs when this country was founded on religious freedom for all by people who fled religious persecution.</p><p><i>Patrick Riley</p><p>Summerfield</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Check them out</b></p><p>Looking at mugshots section at ocala.com, I can see President Barack Obama's "policies" on immigration are having an adverse effect for the Marion County Sheriff's Office.</p><p>I do hope the sheriff's department is doing citizenship checks.</p><p>If they are not legal, they should be handed over to Homeland Security and let them foot the bill, not Marion County.</p><p><i>Barbara Harrison</p><p>Citra</i></p>